Aerospace company Exelis has secured a contract to supply its ground vehicle and aircraft surveillance solutions to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in the US.

The contract is aimed at improving the airport’s surface safety and efficiency.

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Under the deal, Exelis will provide its ground vehicle and aircraft surveillance applications, as well as its Symphony vehicle movement area transponder (VMAT), which can transmit position and identifiable call sign information for ground vehicles.

"We look forward to the benefits this system will provide to airport staff, during our runway construction and beyond."

As a result, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers, airport personnel and aircraft pilots will be able to track the VMAT-equipped vehicles.

Exelis has already installed five initial VMAT units at SFO, while another 80 units are scheduled to be deployed later this year.

San Francisco International Airport chief operating officer Ivar Satero said: "Adding these transponders will enable SFO to precisely track all vehicles on the airfield, reinforcing our overall commitment to safety and security.

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"We look forward to the benefits this system will provide to airport staff, during our runway construction and beyond."

SFO will also install the Symphony MobileVue systems, which will complement the VMAT technology.

A browser-based, real-time application, Symphony MobileVue is accessible through a tablet or smart phone and displays aircraft and vehicles on the airport surface and in the terminal area.

Exelis commercial aviation solutions general manager Ted Carniol said: "Symphony MobileVue provides airport operations staff and vehicle operators with a common airfield operating picture at all times."

SFO is the sixth airport to utilise Exelis VMAT and Symphony MobileVue solutions.

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